DHARAMSHALA, July 26: Leaflets calling for Tibet’s independence and the long life of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama have been found scattered on a mountain top in Kardze region of eastern Tibet.

According to exile sources, a large number of local Tibetans had gathered on the mountain top on July 21, corresponding with the 15th day of the sixth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar, to offer prayers.

The leaflets called for Tibet’s independence, the long life of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and also carried the phrase ‘Tibetans shall be happy in the land of Tibet, and Chinese in the land of China,’ from the Peace Treaty signed in 821 between Tibet and China.

The Peace Treaty was signed between the King of Tibet, Ralpachen (815-841); and the Chinese Emperor is Mu Zong of the Tang dynasty (821-821), and is carved in Tibetan and Chinese on one side of a stone pillar in front of the Jokhang shrine in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa.

Following the incident, local Chinese authorities have reportedly begun a harsh security crackdown in the region, accompanied by searches of Tibetan vehicles, houses, and hotels in the area.

Calls for Tibet’s independence from China have also been made by many of the Tibetan self-immolators in their last messages and conversations.

Nyingkar Tashi, 24, who set himself on fire on November 12, 2012 at Ghey-mar Thang in Dro Rongpo region of Rebkong, eastern Tibet called for “freedom and independence for Tibet” in a last message he wrote before setting himself on fire.

“Six million Tibetans want freedom for Tibet, independence for Tibet, freedom to learn Tibetan language, freedom to speak our mother tongue,” Tashi’s last note written in Tibetan states. “I set myself on fire in protest against the Chinese government.”

Similarly, another Tibetan self-immolator Phagmo Dhondup, who set himself on fire on February 24, 2013 in front of the Jhakhyung Monastery in Palung region of Tshoshar, eastern Tibet, left a message for Tibet’s independence and freedom.

“Till now, over a hundred Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves on fire for freedom. They are the true martyrs of Tibet. If Tibet does not get its freedom and independence, China will annihilate Tibetan culture and tradition,” Phagmo Dhondup told a friend.

“Today on the night of the 15th day of the Tibetan New Year, I will set myself on fire in front of the debating grounds at the Jhakhyung Monastery. Today is Tibetan Independence Day.”

Since 2009, as many as 120 Tibetans living under China's rule have set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.